The History of Sound Recording

The History of Sound Recording

The methods used to produce, edit, and record music and sound have

changed with the introduction of new sound technology. The

compatibility of computer technology with music recording has led to

large scale developments in computer-based systems, especially by home

users. Modern computer technology in music and audio is fundamentally

different in comparison to older magnetic tape recording techniques

because it is digital. New computerised digital methods are

significantly better at manipulating sound (editing, recording, etc)

than the highest fidelity analogue tape methods of the past.

Instruments nowadays are generally considered easier to play than

their predecessors hundreds of years ago (due to quality manufactured

parts, and standardisation of music notation). Computer technology has

not affected traditional human instrumental sound production. Only its

recording and reproduction.

One of the most important features of the introduction of computers in

music and audio is the way in which sound is recorded digitally, as

opposed to analogue. Digital sampling allows for recorded sounds to be

reproduced almost exactly as they were Also once a sound has been

sampled it's sound wave can then be displayed on the computer screen.

The commercialisation of software that can record and edit sound at an

affordable price means that people can utilise a virtual studio which

far outdates the recording equipment 50 years ago for many times the

cost. The 'wave' presentation of the recorded sound has revolutionised

sound editing techniques. The process of selecting parts of a recorded

sound and 'trimming' for ex...

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...There have been ongoing legal (and court room) debates over

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The ongoing development of the MIDI standard has given almost all new

computer buyers the resource of basic synthesised instruments stored

on the motherboard or soundcard. The MIDI standard gives the computer

a set of instructions (sometimes called an algorithm) on how to

reproduce an instrument sound. MIDI sounds can be brought together to

create songs using sequencing software. MIDI can also be used to

control external devices e.g. Sound Module (e.g. EMU Proteus 2000).